Let’s celebrate Earth Day! To help you get in the spirit of Earth Day, we’d like to shed some light on the impact of e-waste!
E-waste is a bummer.
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Did you know discarded electronics, otherwise known as “e-waste“, is the fastest growing waste stream on the planet? Now, take a guess at which country produces the largest amount of e-waste in the world. If you guessed the U.S., ding-ding-ding, you’re right. Our piles of tossed gadgets are the largest source of toxic metals in landfills, which needless to say harms our environment. To get a better idea of what we mean, in 2014 the U.S. churned out 11 million tons of e-waste! So what happens to our discarded tech? Just 12.5% of e-waste gets recycled, while the rest ends up incinerated or in landfills. Kind of a bummer, right?
Are you surprised?
It’s no surprise we produce so much e-waste. Think about the constant stream of new tech that keeps coming out. There have been fourteen – yes thats right – fourteen iPhone models released since 2007, which might explain why Americans generally hang onto their iPhones for a mere 18 months before upgrading to a newer model; thats 150 million abandoned iPhones every year. And thats just in the U.S.!
Reduce the impact!
- At BiR, we’re pretty fond of mother nature, so in honor of Earth Day, we’d like to share 3 ways you can help reduce the impact of e-waste on our environment.
1. Recycle old or unused tech
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Even though it’s first on our list, recycling should be a last resort option, believe it or not. This is because electronics recycling is quite costly, and often times creates even more pollution (ie: methane emissions from recycling factories – oh the irony!). But if you’re choosing between the trash bin or recycling center, opt for recycling.
Where to recycle:
– Beyond the Bin Recycling Directory – check out the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection direct. Type in your electronic device and it’ll show you local recycling sites.
– Earth 911 – here you can locate nationwide recycling centers
If you’re looking to recycle for a cause:
– BARCC (Boston Area Rape and Crisis Center) – this organization accepts phone donations, sends them to a company to be refurbished, and uses reimbursement towards their mission to assist survivors, and their families.
– Dell & GoodWill’s Reconnect Program – for donating computers (they accept all brands)
– Secure the Call – this program gets cell phones to people in need so they can call for help in the event of an emergency
2. Resell or trade in old devices
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Gazelle is a popular platform for selling, and buying used smartphones and other electronics. You can also try your luck on Craigslist or Ebay.
3. Opt for Repair
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The greenest thing you can do is keep the device you have! With proper maintenance, your device can last years. If your computer seems a bit slow, you can always opt for an upgrade. Does your abandoned phone run out of juice too fast? A battery replacement might be all that’s needed. Opting to repair or replace faulty parts saves you money, and is a great way to keep our planet happy.